Torchbearer 036 Paul Freedman Mbe carries the Olympic Flame whislt riding the miniature railway in Barking Park, on the Torch Relay leg between Redbridge (London Borough) and Barking and Dagenham (London Borough).

London 2012: Olympic Flame comes through Barking Park

Sukran Sahin, Reporter Sunday, July 22, 2012
10:41 AM

The Olympic Flame has passed through Barking Park - taking a ride on a miniature railway - before heading off towards Central Park, Dagenham, where Diversity will bring it into the 60th Dagenham Town Show.

torch relay at barking park

Hundreds cheered and clapped as the iconic symbol finally arrived in the borough to a party atmosphere.

Young and old lined the route as performances were held by local groups.

Jeffrey Gomes, 14, leader Ripple Escola de Samba group, said: “It’s a wonderful experience. This kind of thing only comes once in a lifetime.”

Band leader Yasmin Jamal, 11, added: “I’m really excited and I’m proud of myself.

“This is a little bit different from other performances because the Olympic Flame is in Barking.”

Jackie Miller, whose child goes to Eastbury School, said: “It’s very exciting. We came with Eastbury school because they put on a Samba performance. They have really worked hard. They’ve been working for two years on it and they have given a lot of their own time.”

A torchbearer entered the Victorian Park just before 10am, taking it alongside the lake for about 250 yards before it went on the miniature railway, which is thought to date back to the fifties.

The relay continued in the park towards Barking Abbey School and emerged from the open space in Longbridge Road. It then carries on into Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, ending at Central Park in Wood Lane, Dagenham, at about 11.45am.

Tony Richards, 75, of the Friends of Barking Park, said: “The railway company feels very privileged to have been appointed to carry the torch.”